Several National People’s Power (NPP) members have filed complaints with Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in recent weeks, as the coalition continues to battle with both internal and external struggles.
The CID, typically tasked with investigating serious criminal activities, is involved in several complaints, ranging from the educational qualifications of MPs to social media posts.
Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara has filed a formal complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) requesting an investigation into the inclusion of incorrect educational qualifications under his name on the Parliament website. “This was not an innocent mistake,” he claimed. “When viewed in context, it raises serious suspicions that someone intentionally altered my credentials to harm my reputation.”
In response to the incident, Acting Director of Legislative Services and Communications in Parliament Jayalath Perera issued a statement acknowledging the error and expressing regret for the inconvenience caused to the Minister.
Energy minister Kumara Jayakody lodged a complaint with the CID requesting an inquiry into individuals spreading false claims regarding his educational qualifications, stating rumours were spread that he didn’t complete his degree. In response to the accusations, the minister displayed his degree certificate from the University of Peradeniya to the media.
Following that, Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti lodged a complaint with the CID claiming fraudsters were raising funds for community service projects and other charitable causes, all while falsely using the Minister’s name. He urged people not to give any money to those pretending to act on his behalf.
Recently, MP Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne, representing the NPP also filed a complaint with the CID about false claims spreading on social media. The complaint comes in the wake of a national Sinhala daily newspaper publishing a report about an alleged domestic dispute involving an NPP Colombo district MP and his wife, which also mentioned a fellow female MP. Following this, social media posts falsely alleged that MP Ariyarathne was the female MP referenced in the report. The posts escalated into an online campaign, reportedly spreading unfounded accusations and defamatory content.
Ariyarathne described the attacks as an attempt to discourage women from participating in politics. “If anyone believes such cheap tactics can deter women from participating in politics, they are sorely mistaken,” she said. “Nor will these tricks harm the government, try harder!”
“While you resort to petty ploys, we will continue to focus on progress.”
Another MP Nilanti Kottahachchi has filed a complaint with the CID over a defamatory social media post falsely alleging her involvement in sexual misconduct. The suspect, identified as a political activist linked to the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), has been located, and the attorney urges the CID to take swift action.
The continuous stream of complaints from members of the National People’s Power (NPP) party to the CID, suggest underlying issues within the party that could indicate instability and disorganisation within its ranks.
